Stencil printing machine



April 16, 1946. 1 G. KENNEY 2,398,379

STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE med Jan; ze, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 1 55"" gfwf v April 16, 1946. L G, KENNEY 2,398,379

STEINCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. ze, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 2' April 16, 1946. L.. G. KENNEYY y 2,398,379

STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 26, 1945 5 Sheets-sheet s lApnea 1s, 194e.

L. G. KENNEY STENCIL PRINT ING MACHINE Filed Jan. 26', 1945 sheets-sheet 4 April 16, 1946. l.. G. KENNEY 2,398,379

STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 26, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 f64 f? .a

Ptented Apr.l 16, 1946 UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Leo G. Kenney, Chicago, lli.

Application January 2.6, 1945, Serial No. 574,7.65 4

17 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in stencil printing machines and is more particularly concerned with a machine of this type in which a squeegee is mounted upon a carrier frame for reciprocable movement across the upper side of a silk screen stencil or the like to force avprinting ink or paint therethrough onto a sheet of material to be printed.

This invention contemplates the provision of a machine of this type in which the' stencil frame is preferably mounted upon one end of the platen for pivotal movement into and out of printing engagement with sheet material disposed upon the upper surface of the platen,and in which the stencil frame may readily be adjusted in parallel spaced relation to the upper surface of the platen for printing sheet material of diierent thicknesses.

This invention further .contemplates the provision of an improved squeegee mounting means whereby the inking and printing action of the squeegee may readily be adjusted by the operator for varying the pressure exerted by the squeegee against the surface of the stencil `screen to provide the proper distribution of the ink or paint and to produce' the desired penetration of the printing mediumthrough the stencil screen onto the sheet material to be printed.

details of construction, arrangement and adjust- Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine showing the position of the several parts during the inking movement of the squeegee.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the machine.

Fig. 5 is fragmentary detail view showing a gate means provided for moving the squeegee into a vertical plane at the commencement of the printing stroke.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of Fig. 4, showing the squeegee in printing position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly in section, illustra-ting the construction and arrangement of parts of the timing mechanism employed for reciprocating the squeegee carrier in timed relation with the pivotal movement of the stencil frame.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 2. I i

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view illustrating the vmanner in which shims may be provided between the stencil'frame and the stencil frame support for adjusting the printing position of the screen with respect to the upper surface of the platen to accommodate sheet material of different thicknesses.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of this invention, the improved stencil printing machine is shown as comprising a frame 9 embodying four vertically disposed mem- Vbers II which are connected together by means of upper and lower longitudinal members I2 and I3, respectively, and upper and lower transverse members I4 and I5, respectively. The frame members are preferably formed of angle-iron, and the upper longitudinal members I2 are arranged to serve as tracks for a squeegee carrier I1,

The squeegee carrier is also preferably formed of angle-iron and embodying upright members I8, longitudinal members I9 and transverse members 2|. The lower ends of the vertical members I8 are secured together at the sides of the carrier posed legs of the longitudinally extending angleiron tracks I2.

A squeegee adjustment bracket 2l formed'of angle-iron is pivotally connected at 28 to the squeegee carrier. A squeegee holder 29 istpivoizal .n ly connected'at 3| to thefree'endofitlibracket 21 and has its lower end formed for detachable ,engagement with a squeegee 32 formed of rubber or other suitable material. The squeegeeholder is adapted to be alternately pivoted between a, vertical printing position and an inclined inking position, and the alternate positions of the squeegee holder may be adjusted by means of adjustment screws 33 and 34. Apair of stud screws 36 are mounted on the squeegee carrier and extend upwardly through apertures provided in the bracket 21 to receive compression springs 31 which act between adjustable wing nuts 38 and the bracket 21 to yieldably resist upward pivotal movement of the latter.

A platen 4| is mounted in a horizontal position upon the frame members I2 to receive sheet material 42 to be printed. A stencil screen holder support 43 is pivotally connected at 44 to the inner end of the platen 4| to receive a stencil holder 46 which is. secured theretfhbygieans of bolts 41. In order to accommodate the machine for printing sheet material of various thicknesses,

one or more shims 48 may be interposed betweenv the screen holder 46 and its support 43. The

screen holder 46 may be oi any suitable construction and of the type now commonly employed for mounting a silk stencil screen 49.

Th'e screen holder 46 is pivoted into and out of printing position by means of a cam which acts against a roller 52 journaled on a lever arm of the crank gear 14. A latch' arm 9| is pivotally connected at 92 to the frame and has its free end connected to the latch 81 by means of a connecting link 93. A resettingL latch barA 94 is suspended for longitudinal movement below a frame member 96 by means of pivot links 91, and is provided with an offset portion 98 for engagement by the lever arm 58 when same is moved to its forward position. The latch bar 94 engages the latch 81 through a connecting'link 99.

A pair of pivotally mounted gates |0| are mounted on supporting rails |02 secured to the frame 9 of the machine, and are normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 4 by means of their respective tension springs |03. Upon forward movement of the squeegee carrier |1 the gates |0| are swung outwardly, as illustrated in ,Fig. 5, by the side arms |05 providedv on the outer Henis of the squeegee holder 29. The gates |0| 53. One end of the arm 53 is pivotally connected at 54 to the frame 9 and has its free end connected to an actuating arm 56 by means of a connecting link 51.

The` squeegee carrier |1 is adapted to be reciprocated back `and forth when the screen holder 46 is in its printed position by means of a lever 58 whichhas its lower end pivotally connected at 59 to the base of the frame 9 and its free end engaging a cross member 6I secured to and depending from the carrier I1. 'I'he lever 58 is provided with an auxiliary arm 62 extending upwardly in spaced relation therewith and pivotally connected thereto at 63. The lever 58 and auxiliary arm 62 are connected intermediate their ends by means of a bolt 64 mounted in brackets 66 and 61. A helical compression spring 68 is mounted on the end of the bolt between the bracket 61 and a nut 69. A crank arm 1| is pivotally connected at its one end to the lever 58 and is formed with a downwardly disposed notch 12 at its free end for detachable engagement with a stud 13 mounted on the rim portion of a, gear 14.

The crank gear 14 is secured to a shaft 15 journaled in suitable bearings provided on the frame of the machine, and is driven by a pinion gear 16 secured on a shaft 11 which is also journaled in suitable bearings. The shaft 11 is driven by means of an electric motor 18 through suitable beltsy or chains 80 and 80a, a pair of driving pu1.. leys 19 and 8| and driven pulleys 82 and 83. If desired, the means thus described for imparting reciprocable movement to the squeegee carrier |1 may be duplicated upon the far side of the machine, as shown in Fig. 3, in order to prevent cocking movement of the squeegee carrier and binding thereof against the rails |2. As these parts are similar in construction and operation to the corresponding parts heretofore described, they are indicated by corresponding members.

The cam 5| is secured to the side of a. gear 84 which is secured to a shaft 85 suitably journaled on the frame of the machine. The' gear 84 is driven by a gear 86 secured to the shaft 15.

A latch 81 is pivotally connected at 88 to the frame 9 and formed with an upturned portion 89 at its free end for engagement with the free end of the crank arm 1| upon valternate revolutions return to their closed position upon further movement of the-arms |05, and during the return stroke of the squeegee carrier I1 the arms |05 are 'engaged by the respective gates 0| to move the squeegee holder 29 into its vertically disposed position for printing, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

In the operation of the stencil printing machine thus described, the sheet material 42 is placed on the platen 4I when the stencil screen holder 46 is in its raised position, as indicated in Fig. 1, after which the holder 46 is lowered into engagement with the sheet material by gravity under control of the cam 5|. During the downward movement of the stencil holder 46. the stud 13 provided on the crank gear 14 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as illus the crank gear 14, the stud 13 engages in. the

recess 12 of the crank arm 1| and acts to move the crank arm in a forward direction. The crank arm, in turn, acts through the auxiliary lever arm 62 to move the squeegee carrier |1 toward the front end of the machine. as illustrated in Fig. 2, to complete the stencil inking operation.

As the squeegee carrier approaches the forward end of the machine, the arms |05 pass beyond the gates |0| which are then automatically closed by means of their respective springs |03. During the forward movement of the squeegee carrier, the lever arm 58 also engages the oiset portion 98 of the latch bar 94 which acts through the connecting link 99 to move the latch 81 to its operative crank armv engaging position. After the stud 13 moves upwardly past the horizontal axis of the crank gear 14, it acts through the crank arm 1| and lever arm 58 to move the squeegee carrier I1 rearwardly. During the rearward movement of the squeegee carrier |1, the gates |0| act to lift the arms- |05 of the squeegee holder 29 to pivot the latter into its vertical printing position. At the completion of the printing stroke, the free end of the crank arm-1| is engaged by the latch 81, causing thestud 13 to move downwardly out of the crank arm slot 12 for movement independent of the crank arm. When the squeegee carrier l1 reaches the end of its printing stroke, the cam 5| acts through the assasro armsll, connectingrlink 61. and arm to pivot the screen1holder146 vto its open position;

` Itis. animportant feature of this invention to provide af stencil `printing machine with suitableadjustmentsjwhich are provided to adapt the machine for use in` printing sheet material i' various.` thicknesses. In' setting up the machinelfor printing. sheet material of predetermined thickness, shims 48 of suitable thickness are interposed between a stencil holder 46 and its support 43, as illustrated in Fig. 9, in order that the stencil screen 49 will be disposed in parallel relation against the sheet material 42 to be printed when `the stencil holder 46 is pivoted i downwardly into printing position.

The 'machine is also adapted for printing sheet materialof .various llengths by adjusting the positions of the gate members I 0| longitudinally along their supporting rails |02. The gates 0| are` adjustable by means of bolts |06 interposed in slots |01 provided in the side rails |02. It will be understood that the squeegee holder 29` willr remain in'its inclined inking position during therlnitial printing stroke of the squeegee carrier lI1 and until thearms |05 engage the gates 0| to set the squeegee holder 29 in its vertical printing position..

The inking and printing positions of the squeegee holder 29 may readily be adjusted by means of the adjustment screws 33 and 34. The amount of kforce exerted by the squeegee `*against the material. to be printed is determined by the yieldable resistance 'oi'eredby the compression spring. 31 acting downwardly against the pivotally mounted supporting,A bracket 21. The force exertedby the compression spring 31 may be varied by merely adjusting the wing nuts 38 on their studs 36.

Thev forward travel of the squeegee carrier |1 may be varied by merely adjusting the nuts 69 on their respective bolts 64ito pivot the `arms 62 toward or away from theirrespective lever arms It will thus be-seen that a stencil printing ma chine constructed` according to the present invention is suitableV for usein printing sheet material` of various lengths and thicknesses, that the various operating parts of the machine may readilybe, adjusted to suit the type of material to be printed, and thatthe machine isl of relatively simple and inexpensive construction due to the. use of standard structural sections such as angle-iron.

While this invention has been shown in but oneform, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that it is notso limited butv is susceptible of various; changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

I claim as my invention 1. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supported on said rframe, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said platen for movement 'into' and out oi printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for reciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeegee bracket, a squeegee detachably mounted on the lower en'd ofsaid squeegee holder, said squeegeeholder being pivotally movable between an inking position and aprinting position, and

gate means for moving said squeegee holder from its inking .position to its printing, position,

2. In a stencil printing machine.` a frame, a platen supportedon said frame, astencil holder pivotally mountedY at one end o! said platen for movement into and out of printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for re- -ciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeegee bracket, a squeegee detachably mounted on the lower end of said squeegee holder, said squeegee holder being pivotally movable between an inking position and a printing position, gate means for moving said squeegee holder from its inking position to its printing position, and means permitting adjustment of said gate means longitudinally of the frame.

3. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supported on said frame, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said platen for movement into and out of `printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for reciprocable movement on said frame. a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeegee brackets. squeegee detachably mountedon the lower end of said squeegee holder, said squeegee holder being pivotally movable between an inking position and a printing position, gate means for moving said squeegee holder from its inking position to its printing position, cam means for actuating said stencil holder, a carrier actuating arm pivotally mounted on said frame, a crank journalled for rotational movement on said frame, and a crank arm having its one end engaging said carrier actuating arm and its other end engageable by said crank upon` alternate revolutions oi the latter.

4. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supported on lsaid frame, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said platen for movement into and out of printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted fortreciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeege bracket, a squeegee detachably mounted on the lower end` of said squeegee holder, said squeegee holder being pivotally movable between an inking position and a printing position, gate means formoving said squeegee holder from its inking position toits printing position, cam means for actuating said stencil holder, a carrier actuating arm pivotally mounted on said frame, a crank journalled for rotational movement on said frame, and-a crank arm having its one end engaging said carrier actuating arm and its other end engageable by said crank upon alternate revolutions `of the latter, and latch means for engagement with said crank arm upon alternate revolutions of said crank.

5. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supported onsaid frame, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said platen for movement into and out of printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for reciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee ing arm pivotally mounted on said frame, a crank journalled for rotational movement on said frame, a crank arm having its one end engaging said carrier actuating arm and its other end engageable by said crank upon alternate revolutions of the latter, and latch means for engagement with said crank arm upon alternate revolutions of said crank, said latch means being actuated by said crank arm and said carrier actuating arm.

6. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supportedron said frame, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said platen for movement into and out of printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for reciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeegee bracket, adjustment screws for controlling the limits of pivotal movement of said squeegee holder relative to said squeegee bracket, a squeegee detachably mounted on the lower end of said squeegee holder, said squeegee holder being pivotally movable between an inking position and a printing position, and gate means for moving said squeegee holder from its inking position to its printing position.

7. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supported on said frame, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said platen for movement into and out of printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for reciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, re-

silient means provided on said carrier for yieldably resisting'pivotal movement of said squeegee bracketlaway from the platen, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeegee bracket, ad-

,iustment screws for controlling the limits of pivotal movement of said squeegee holder relative to said squeegee bracket, a squeegee detachably mounted on the lower end of said squeegee holder, said squeegee holder being pivotally movable between an inking position and a printing position, and gate means for moving said squeegee holder from its inking position to its printing position.

8. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supported on said frame, a stencil holder `pivotally mounted at one end oi said platen for moveniettoandeout oi printing engagement therewith, a squeegee. carrier mounted for reciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, resilientl means provided on said carrier for yieldably resisting pivotal movement of said squeegee bracket away from the platen, means for varying the force exerted by said resilient means, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeegee bracket, adjustment screws for controlling the limits of pivotal movement of said squeegee holder relative to said squeegee bracket, a squeegee detachably mounted on the lower end of said squeegee holder, said squeegee holder being pivotally movable between an inking position and a printing position, and gate means for moving said squeegee holder from its inking position to its printing position. v

9. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supported on said frame, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said platen for movement into and out of printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for reciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeegee bracket, a squeegee detachably mounted on the lower end of said squeegee holder, said squeegee holder being pivotally movable between an inking position and a, printing position, cam means for actuating said stencil holder, a carrier ,actuating arm pivotally mounted on said frame,

a crank journalled for rotational movement on said frame, and a crank arm having its one end engaging said carrier actuating arm and its other end engageable by said crank upon alternate revolutions of the latter.

10. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supported on said frame, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said platen for movement into and out' of'printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for reciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeegee bracket, anda squeegee detachably mounted on the lower end of said squeegee holder, said squeegee holder being pivotally movable between an inking position and a printing position.

11. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supported on said frame, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said platen for movement into and out of printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for reciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeegee bracket, a squeegee detachably mounted on the lower end of said squeegee holder, said squeegee holder being pivotally movable between an inking position and a printing position, gate means for moving said squeegee holder from its inking position to its printing position, cam means for actuating said stencil holder, a carrier actuating arm pivotally mounted on said frame, and a crank arm having its one end engaging said carrier actuating arm and its other end engageable by said crank upon alternate revolutions of the latter, means for driving said cam means and said crank in timed relation.

12. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platenvsupported on said frame, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said platen for movement into and out of printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for reciprocable movement on said frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, a squeegee holder pivotally mounted on said squeegee bracket, a, squeegee detachably mounted on the lower end of said squeegee holder, said squeegee holder being pivotally movable between an inking vposition and a` printing position, gate means for moving said squeegee holder from its inking position to its printing position, cam means for actuating said stencil holder, a carrier actuating arm pivotally mounted on said frame, a crank journalled for -rotational movement on said frame, and a crank arm having its one end engaging said carrier actuating arm and its other end engageable by said crank upon alternate revolutions of the latter, and latch means for engagement with said crank arm upon alternate revolutions of said crank, said latch means being moved to its inoperative position by said crank gee holder being pivotally movable between aninking position and a printing position, cam means for actuating said stencil holder, a carrier actuating arm pivotally mounted on said frame, a crank journalled for rotational movement on said frame, and a crank arm having its one end engaging said carrier actuating arm and its other end engageableloy said crank upon alternate revolutions of the latter, and means provided on said carrier actuating arm for varying the reciprocable travel of said sque'egee carrier.

14. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, a platen supported on said frame, a stencil holder pivotally mounted at one end of said 4platen for movement into and out of printing engagement therewith, a squeegee carrier mounted for reclprocable movement on said'frame, a squeegee bracket pivotally mounted on said carrier, a squeegee holder pivotally ,mounted on said squeegee bracket, a squeegee detachably mounted on inklng position and a printing position, cam means for actuating said stencil holder, a carrier actuating arm pivotally mounted on said frame, a crankjournalled for rotational movement on said frame, a crankarm having its one end engaging said carrier actuating arm and its other end engageable by said crank upon alternate revolutions of the latter, means provided on said carrier actuating arm for varying the reciprocable travel of said squeegee carrier, and gate means for pivotthe lower end of said squeegee holder, said squee- ,gee holder being pivotally movable" between an ing said squeegee holder from its inking position to its printing position.

15. In a stencil printing machine, a frame side rails provided on said frame, a platen supported on said frame above said'side rails, a stencil holder support pivotally connected to the inner end of said platen, a stencil holder detachably mounted on said support, a squeegee carrier provided With rollers disposed to straddle said side rails, and lever means for reciprocating said carrier.

16. In a stencil printing machine, a frame,

side rails provided on said frame, a platen supported on said frame above said side rails, a stencil holder support pivotally connected to the inner end of said platen, a stencil holder detachably mounted on said support, a squeegee carrier provided with rollers disposed to straddle said side rails, and lever means for reciprocating said carrier, said lever means comprising an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the frame and having a bifurcated end for engagement with said carrier.

17. In a stencil printing machine, a frame, side rails provided on said frame. a platen supported on said frame above said side rails, a stencil holder support pivotally connected to the inner end of said platen, a stencil holder detachably mounted on said support, a squeegee carrier provided with rollers disposed to straddle said side rails, and lever means for reciprocating said carrier, said lever means comprising an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the fra-me and having a bifurcated end for engagement with said carrier, and means for adjusting said actuating lever for varying the reciprocable travel of said carrier.

`LEO G. KENNEY. 

